Court fines Navy N.9m in Effurun

A HIGH Court in Delta State has fined the Naval Command in Effurun and some of its officers N900,000 in three related suits filed by Chief Efe Afe, owner of Kayriot Hotel and Suites, Effurun and two others.

The fine, according to Justice Roli Daibo Harriman, covered suits by initiated by Chief Afe, Mr. Tony Okosun, General Manager and Rachael Usen.

Justice Harriman said: “With regard to what happened on January 30, 2014, the 3rd respondent and other officers of the respondents intimidated, harassed, threatened and destroyed the property of the applicant on January 30, 2014.

“The arrest and detention of the 1st and 2nd respondents – Chief Afe and his hotel manager – on January 31, 2014 is unconstitutional and violates the applicants’ fundamental human rights as contained in the 1999 Constitution.

“The respondents whether by themselves, their agents, servants, privies or howsoever called, are hereby restrained from further arresting or detaining the applicant based on the facts leading to this application.”

The court also ordered the Navy to apologise to the applicants within two weeks of the judgment.

Commanding Officer of the NNS Delta, Navy Captain Musa Gemu, said the judgment was rather in favour of the force.